44 Special expander plug question

[whisler]

I'm loading 44 Special WC, using a Lee Powder-through expander die and Lee Pro Auto Disc measure. My boolits are sized to 0.4293 and lubed with Speed Green. Sized and lubed this way I don't get leading. If I shoot unsized boolits (0.4305) lubed with Bens Liquid Lube, I get leading. Not sure why.

I found that I have very little neck tension, so I mic'ed the expander plug and it measured 0.4288, explaining the low new tension. I assume that my option is to sand down the expander plug diameter to increase neck tension. My question is, what diameter would you suggest I aim for?

Also any other options that don't require using a single stage press. I like my turret press.

[243winxb]

Expander diameter- .4275" After seating a bullet, the outside diameter should get larger by .002"

[Mal Paso]

I'm loading 44 Special WC, using a Lee Powder-through expander die and Lee Pro Auto Disc measure. My boolits are sized to 0.4293 and lubed with Speed Green. Sized and lubed this way I don't get leading. If I shoot unsized boolits (0.4305) lubed with Bens Liquid Lube, I get leading. Not sure why.

I found that I have very little neck tension, so I mic'ed the expander plug and it measured 0.4288, explaining the low new tension. I assume that my option is to sand down the expander plug diameter to increase neck tension. My question is, what diameter would you suggest I aim for?

Also any other options that don't require using a single stage press. I like my turret press.

Hmmmm There's about .002" of plastic deformation in 44 brass so that .4288" die should expand the brass to .4268" giving you all the tension you will ever get. Does a pulled bullet still measure .4293"? Have you measured the brass?

[whisler]

Have not measured the brass but a pulled bullet is not changed at all. I will try measuring the brass.

[Mal Paso]

Usually brass is sized down by the same die that punches out the primer. If that die is too big or a universal decapping die was used your brass may be too big to start with.

44 brass will snap back about .002" after you stretch it with a die.

[whisler]

I did use a universal decapping die but also used a sizing die with primer punch removed. I will measure diameter after sizing and attempt to measure brass thickness, but will have to use a caliper because i don't own a ball end mic. Will report back.

[whisler]

All measurements to the best of my measuring abilities. I am by no means a machinist. Brass (R-P) diameter by Mic and brass thickness by dial caliper.

Unsized brass O.D. = 0.4587
Sized brass O.D. = 0.4507
Expanded brass O.D. = 0.4530
Brass thickness = 0.0125

If my measurements are correct, expanded brass I.D. should be 0.428, giving me 0.0013 neck tension. Rather low but corresponds to the ease of seating.
Comments, suggestions welcome.

[243winxb]

Take .001" off the Lee Powder-through expander.

[whisler]

Thanks, i will give that a try.

[whisler]

Reporting back: reduced the size of the expander plug and from my measurements it seems I should now have slightly in excess of 0.002 neck tension. Now to cast some more WCs and test. Thanks.